It began as the centerpiece of a spring schedule, a fight that would give the industry a much needed shot in the arm. What’s left of the negotiations that may or may not have been agreed upon by all parties now instead serves as perhaps the year’s biggest court case.

There’s no telling what will ultimately come of the mess that has been created, but the industry is already feeling its effects.

Rather than a potential Fight of the Year candidate that will come “free” for those who currently subscribe to HBO, boxing’s diehard fans – the faction to whom this matchup loudly spoke – are now left with a $45 pay-per-view show pitting two far less desirable co-leads.

Rios (29-0-1, 22KO) gets to keep the April 14 date and still squares off against a Cuban boxer who holds little to no respect for him. Instead of it being against the undefeated and supremely talented Gamboa, it’s now against unheralded fringe contender Richard Abril (17-2-1, 8KO), whose interim title status now makes this sudden grudge match a ‘championship’ fight.

The show’s original co-feature – Mike Alvarado squaring off with Mauiricio Herrera – remains intact, though will now air in supporting capacity. Moving up to the sub-main spot is Juan Manuel Marquez, who – like Rios – saw bigger plans disintegrate into a stay busy fight as he faces Sergey Fedchenko.

While the card itself isn’t what fans had in mind, at the very least the fighters get to stay busy. The same cannot be said of Gamboa (21-0, 16KO), whose next ring appearance is now in the hands of two sets of legal teams – his own lawyer Sekou Gary, as well as the firm hired by Top Rank to represent their company as well as Arena Box Promotions, Gamboa’s co-promoter.

There is no predicting what comes of the immediate future, especially if this case makes its way to a court room. Because of it, what can and can’t be said on the record remains the dividing line between fact and speculation. [Click Here To Read More]

they are just mad because they can't make money off of gamboa at this point. they shouldve compensated him right from the beginning. wether people are in his ear or not. toprank has been making a killing of its promoted fighters including pacquiao.everybody has been leaving and i don't blame them.

I dont care what kind of scum Bob arum is....what Gamboa did was lowclass, unprofessional, and STUPID. What he should of done was be a responsible man about it by finishing his contract or buy it out. Not do this childish disappearing act by hurting your boxing fans and making Bob arum look good.? Shame on you!:

they are just mad because they can't make money off of gamboa at this point. they shouldve compensated him right from the beginning. wether people are in his ear or not. toprank has been making a killing of its promoted fighters including pacquiao.everybody has been leaving and i don't blame them.

gamboa should just go with golden boy and mayweather at this point. Because oner has been ripping him of for years.